What “Bhagiratha” Really Means—and How the Five Stages Emerge from Words

Question

When you explained all the words—then what is the explanation of Bhagiratha?

Answer

I have explained it. The word Bhagiratha has two parts: bhag and ratha. Bhag means a firm resolve—“that I am the soul.” When a person mounts this chariot of firm resolve—since they even added the word ratha (chariot) here—that “I am the soul,” then he is called Bhagiratha.

Question

All these points—the five stages of practice—how did they come out?

Answer

Only by understanding the depth of these words. When we try to understand stories in Puranic literature, our very first step is to understand the words. They’re all Sanskrit words, and a great deal has been packed inside them. The first clue was placed in Sagara, the second in Anshuman, the third in Dalit (Dalipa), the fourth in Bhagiratha, and the fifth in Jagnu—and the inner story emerged. So to understand any of these stories, we have to go deep into the words.